The Los Angeles Rams have brought back receiver Puka Nacua from injured reserve after he missed five games, and he will be ready to play against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night.
Cooper Kupp is also returning from a four-game injury absence for the Rams (2-4) as they face Minnesota (5-1).
Nacua has been out since he sprained a ligament in his knee during the first half of the Rams’ season opener against Detroit last month.
He was allowed to practice again during the Rams’ short preparation week for the Vikings, and the team confirmed during warmups that he was fit to play.
Last year, Nacua made the Pro Bowl after an amazing rookie season. He was the most productive rookie receiver in NFL history, catching 105 passes for 1,486 yards, setting league records for rookies, and scoring six touchdowns.
He also set NFL rookie records for most catches in a game (15 against San Francisco) and most yards receiving in a playoff game (181 against Detroit).
However, he was slowed down in training camp this year by a knee injury. He managed to catch four passes for 35 yards in the season opener before re-injuring himself and was placed on injured reserve shortly after.
The Rams also lost Kupp to an ankle injury in Week 2, and coach Sean McVay’s team has had trouble scoring without Matthew Stafford’s top two targets. Stafford has thrown just three touchdown passes this season, with only two in the last five games.
To make room for Nacua, the Rams placed linebacker Troy Reeder on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. Reeder starts and sometimes calls defensive plays for Los Angeles.
Kupp was expected to play against the Vikings after missing last week’s victory over Las Vegas. The Super Bowl 56 MVP is also the subject of various trade rumors.
